Boat



C. J. BAER, v BOAT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, 1921.

Patented Jan 17, 1922.,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- 614 501 net;

c. J. BAER.

BOAT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN- 24, 1921- 1,403,828. Patented Jan. 17, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z- UNITED STATES CARL J. BAER, F RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS.

BOAT.

Application filed January 24, 1821.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CARL J. Earn, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Riverside, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boats, of which the following is a specification.

The invention broadly relates to the facilitation of the passage of boats or barges throughthe water. More particularly, the invention pertains to'the provision of means adapted for attachment to a boatlike bod whereby the water between said body and the adjacent body, connected thereto, may be enclosed and carried along with the connected boats, thereby preventing free circulation of water between said boats and eliminating the retarding influence of draw-backs and end thrusts.

The invention is especially adapted for use in connection with a plurality of boats or barges joined in a strin Ordinarily such boat-like bodies (hereafter called barges), are of similar formation, provided with abutting ends which are usually convened to permit of rolling contact in rounding curves. It is to be understood however that the invention is applicable to barges of any suitable bow and stern formation, for it is obviousthat, when two connected barges are passing through the water, no matter what the formation of the ends, the space between the opposing ends of said barges is filled with water. In the absence of any means for the prevention thereof the water freely circulates between the ends of the barges, requiring constant displacement thereof as the barge moves. Under these circumstances, the power which moves the barges must be suiiicientto overcome the draw-back effect at the stern of each, and also the end-thrust of the bow of every barge in the string.

My invention contemplates the substantial enclosure of all the water between the barges, whereby such water may be carried along therebetween and, in effect, become a component of the string. Experiments have proven that it is not necessary to provide an absolutely water-tight joint between the barges; it is sufficient if a free circulation of the water therebetween is prevented. Under such circumstances practically the only resistance to the movement of the string of units through the water, is the end thrust of the first barge, the draw-back of the Specification of Letters iatent. Patented Jail, 17, 192,9.

Serial No. 439,422.

last, and the frictional resistance along the sides of each. Tie experiments hereinbefore referred to have disclosed the fact that a per cent increase of speed may be imparted to the barges by enclosing the water in the space between them, and carrying said water along as a unit of the string.

An effective means of accomplishing this desired object, as well as others, as will hereinafter appear, is shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, 1n which Figure l is a top plan view of my invention applied to the connected barges;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the barges with my invention applied thereto;

Fig. 3 is a View of my invention, showing an end of the barges;

Fig. i is a perspective view showing the bottom and end of one of the barges equipped with my invention;

rig. 5 shows perspective views of certain members of the housing.

In the drawings A and B, indicate boats or barges, pivotally connected by a coupling member 1. As here shown the barges are provided on top with outwardly projecting, convened abutting surfaces 2, adapted for rolling engagement, each to each, in the turning movements of the barges. frontportions of the barges, below the surfaces 2, are provided with prows 3, of wedge-shaped formation. This is a well known type of barge-end construction, th rounded surfaces 2 permitting of rolling engagement between the barges when connected, and the sharp prow 3 decreasing the end thrust to a certain extent. It is to be understood that, while I have illustrated this invention as applied to barges of this type of end construction, I am not limited to such use, as the invention is equally adapted to enclose the water between the ends of two connected barges, of whatever end construction.

As shown in the drawings, I provide housings for the water between the ends of the barges. Said housings are preferably formed of sheet metal, and in four sections. one for each corner of the front or rear end of each barge. Each section compi' side leaf at, extending longitudinali in contact with the side of the barge. leaf l is pivotally connected to a wall 5, extending under the surface 2, and inwardly toward the apex of the prow 3. r rined in- The.

tegrally with the wall 5 is a floor 6, the lower edge of the leaf restlng upon said floor 6, and slidably movable thereover.

The leaf 4 is pivotally connected to the wall .5 by a pivot rod 7 extending through perforated and registering pro ections 8, 8 provided in the edges of said leaf 4 and wall 5, as clearly shown in the drawings. The rod 7 is integrally provided with perforated and angularly extending ears 9, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The floor 6 is provided with an arcuate slot 10, which receives a bolt 11 extendmg from the bottom of the barge, said bolt be ing provided with a head of larger diameter than the width of the slot, whereby the floor 6 is held against the bottom of the barge, as will be clearly understood. Each leaf 4 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 12 near its upper margin, and upwardly turned hook members 13, 13 extend through said slot and are secured to the body of the barge.

All of the four sections of the complete housing are alike and the above description of one of them is applicable to all. It will therefore be understood that, after each barge is equipped at each corner with one of these sections, they are moved into position and connected by the coupling 1. Because of the particular proportioning of parts, when so connected the surface 2 of the barge A will contact the surface 2 of the barge B; also, as shown in Fig. 1, the walls 5, 5 of the opposed sections will lie in contact. The ears 9, 9 on the rods 7 7, are then turned into parallelism, and a link 14 is passed through the perforations in said ears,

effectively and detachably locking themtoget-her.

In this position it will be clear that the leaves 4, 4 laterally prevent circulation of water between the barge ends, and that vertical circulation is prevented by the floors 6 6.

My invention provides for the necessary turning movements of the barges. During such movements the flat portion of the side of the barge presses upon the contacting portion of the leaf 4. This movement would bodily carry the wall 5 with the barge were it not pivotally connected to the leaf 4, but, with the connection illustrated, the leaf 4 immediately turns upon the pivot rod 7, the lower edge of said leaf sliding over the top surface of the floor 6, or entirely off said floor as the case may be, dependent upon the direction of turn of the associated barge. During such turning movement the floor 6, held from turning by the abutting walls 5, 5, remain stationary, and the bolt 11 rides in the arcuate slot 10. iVhen the barge resumes its original alignment with the connected barge, the leaves 4 and the bolts 11, take their original positions as shown in Fig. 1.

The construction of the slot 12 and hooks 13, 13, serves two functions: It permits of the necessary slight longitudinal and lateral movement of the leaves 4, in the turning movement of the barge, and also allows the hooks 13 to support the weight of the housing. The enlarged heads on the bolts 11, 11, also materially assist in affording the necessary support. The combined supporting effect of the hooks 13, 13, and the heads of the bolts 11, 11, effectually prevents any sagging of the housing, as will be clear.

In order to prevent the loss of any of the housing sections, and to assist in supporting the weight thereof, I preferably provide a plurality of strap-like members 15, 15, secured to the barges above the upper edges of the leaves 4, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. Such straps 15 are provided with portions 16, 16, which are laterally oflset in order to prevent any interference with the upper edges of the leaves 4, for a purpose which is obvious. The straps extend downwardly adjacent the leaves 4, but not in contact therewith, and are bent inwardly to form the branches 17, 17, extending under and in contact with the floors 6, and provided with inset portions 18, 18, the ends 19, 19, being secured to the bottom of the barges. This construction is of manifest advantage in supporting the weight of the various housings. It will be understood that the straps are provided for both sides of each barge.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that I have provided means adapted for attachment to two connected bolts having a water space therebetween, whereby the water in said space may be enclosed at the sides and bottom and practically carried along as a unit of the train.

Various modifications of my invention may be suggested to those skilled in the art but I claim all such embodiments as fall fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination of two boats, each having an end adapted to be arranged in juxtaposition to that of the other, and a yieldable housing secured to each boat and abutting that 011 the other, substantially as described.

2. The combination oftwo boats, each having a convex end adapted to be arranged in juxtaposition to that of the other, and a yieldable housing secured at each side of the convexity of each boat and abutting that on the other, substantially as described.

3. The combination of two boats each having an end adapted to be arranged in yieldable housing secured to each boatand abutting that on the other, and means for securing said abutting housings each to each, substantially as described.

4. The combination of two boats, each having an end adapted to be arranged in juxtaposition to that of the other, and a yieldable housing secured at each side of each boat and abutting that on the other, and means tor securing said abutting housings to each other, substantially as described.

5. The combination of two boats, each having an end adapted to be arranged in juxtaposition to that of the other, and a yieldable housing pivota-lly secured to each boat and abutting that on the other, substantially as described.

6. A boat having a false end comprising one or more housings pivotally connected with the boat and yielda-ble relatively thereto, substantially as described.

7. A boat having a convex end and a false bow consisting of two housings pivotally connected to the boat and arranged and adapted to enclose space opposite each side of the convexity of the boat, and yieldable relatively to the boat, substantially as described.

8. The combination with two connected boats having a water space therebetween, of members extending bet-weenthe boats and laterally enclosing said space, said members being adapted for pivotal movement under the turning action of the boats.

S). The combination with two connected boats having a water space therebetween, of members contacting the boats and laterally enclosing said space, said members being adapted to pivot-under the turning movements of the boats, and floor members enclosing the bottom of said space, substantially as described.

10. The combination with two connected boats having a water space therebetween, of pivoted members connected to said boats and enclosing the sides of said space, and means between the boats and said members whereby the weight of the latter is carried by the former, said means permitting pivotal action of the members under the movements or the boats.

11. The combination with two connected boats having a water space therebetween, of pivoted members connected to said boats and enclosing the sides of said space, and means between the boats and said members whereby the weightof the latter is carried by the former, said means permitting piv= otal action of the members under the movements of the boats and also acting to permit limited longitudinal and lateral movement of the members under operating conditions.

12. The combination with two connected boats having a water space therebetween, of

pivoted members connected to said boats and enclosing the sides of said space, slots in said members, and weight retaining elements extending through said slots and secured to the boats.

The combination with two connected boats having a water space therebetween, 0t members enclosing the sides of said space, floor members enclosing the bottom of said space, apertures in said floor members and projections carried by said boats and extending into said apertures, whereby turning movement of the boats with respect to said floor is permitted, substantially as described.

14. The combination with two connected boats-having a water space therebetween, of members enclosing the sides of said space, floor members enclosing the bottom of said space, slots in said floor members, projec tions carried by said boats and extending through slots, said project-ions being provided with heads which overlie the edges of said slots and support the weight of said floor, substantially as described.

15. The combination with two connected boats having a water space therebetween, of members supported from the sides of the boats and laterally enclosing said space, and members supported by the bottoms of the boats and enclosing the bottom of said space,

substantially as described.

16. The combination with two connected boats having a water space therebetween, ot members supported from the sides of the boats and laterally enclosing said space, and members supported by the bottoms of the boats and enclosing the bottom of said space, said supporting means in each case permitting i ree turning movements of the boats.

17. The combination between two connected boats having a water space therebetween, of a housing supported by said boats,' said housing including walls extending into said water space, leaves pivoted to said walls and in engagement with said boats, and laterally enclosing said space, and floor members rigidly connected with said walls, connected to the bottoms of said boats and enclosing the bottom of said space.

18. The combination with two connected boats having a water space therebetween, of a housing supported by said boats, said housing being provided with walls extending into said water space and leaves pivotally connected to said walls and contacting at their free ends with said boats and enclosing the sides of said water space.

19. The combination with two connected boats having a water space therebetween, of a housing carried by said boats, said housing being provided with walls extending into said water space and floor members rigidly connected to said walls and slidably connected to the bottom of said boats and enclosing said water space at the bottom.

20. The combination with two connected boats having a water space therebetween, of

boats having a water space therebetween, of

a tour-sectioned housing positioned between the ends of said boats, two sections being carried by each boat and cooperating with the other sections in enclosing said space at the sides and bottom.

22. The combination with two connected boats having a water space therebetween, of a foul-sectioned housing positioned between the ends of said boats, two sections of said housing being carried by each boat and connected to the sections on the other boat, all said sections cooperating in enclosing the sides and bottom of said water space.

23. The combination with two connecting boats having a water space therebetween, of a four-sectioned housing positioned between the ends of said boats and adapted to enclose the sides and bottom of said space, each section of said housing comprising a vertical wall extending into said space, a leaf pivoted to said wall and adapted to laterally enclose that portion of the water between said wall and the end of a boat, and a floor member rigid with said wall and adapted to enclose the bottom of that portion of the space between said wall and a boat, substantially as described.

24. A. housin adapted to enclose the water space between two connected boats, compris ing four sections two of which are adapted for attachment to said boats on each side of said water space, each said sections being provided with awall extending into said space, a leaf, a rod pivotally connecting said leaf to said wall, and means on the end of said rod adapted for attachment to the rod of the adjacent section, substantially as de scribed. V I

25. A housing adaptedto enclose the Water space between two connected boats, comprising four sections two of which are adapted for attachment to said boats on each side of said water space, each of said sections being provided with a Wall extending into said space, a leaf, a rod pivotally connecting said leai to said wall, and means on the end of said rod comprising a perforated, integral, off-set extension adapted for attachment to the rod of the adjacent section, substantially as described. A 7 26. A housing adapted to enclose the water space between two connected boats, comprising sections adapted to be arranged in abutting contact and provided with pivoted members adapted to enclose thesides of said water space, the pivotal connectors for said members of the abutting sections being provided with perforated off-set portions, and links passing through said portions and connecting said members, substantially as described. v r

27. The combination between two connected boats having a water space therebetween, of members connected to said boats and enclosing said space, and an element carried by the boats and positioned to sustain the weight of said members.

28. The combination between two connected boats having a water space therebetween, of members connected to said boats and enclosing said space, and straps carried by the boats and adapted to sustain the weight of said members.

ln testimony whereof Iaflix my signature. CARL J. BAER. 

